New deputy commissioner of Bokaro, Rai Mahimapat Ray (28), who assumed office on Friday, has promised to shake up the district administration and speed up projects in keeping with the Raghubar Das government's motto of transparent and efficient governance.
The 2010-batch IAS, who has reportedly been hand-picked by the chief minister's office for the task, further said improving road network and other basic infrastructure to accelerate industrial growth would top his priorities.
Ray, who served as a special officer at the chief secretary's office in Ranchi before coming to Bokaro, was speaking to The Telegraph at Bokaro Circuit House in the afternoon after taking over charge from his predecessor Manoj Kumar.
Kumar, who has been transferred to the director of horticulture, had requested Ray to take charge on Friday - a holiday due to Christmas - itself though, as per the notification, he could have stayed till December 31.
Talking about the work culture in the district, Ray promised that he would clear all files coming to his office in maximum 36 hours and ensure that junior babus do the same.
"Neither will I delay disposal of files nor allow anyone to sit on them at any cost. I am determined to improve the work culture at government offices here," he added.
Spelling out his priorities, new DC Ray said four-laning of the NH-23, which connects Ranchi with Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, and NH-32, linking Jamshedpur with Chas and Dhanbad, would be the main thrust area.
"I fixed my priorities before coming to Bokaro on my new assignment. Land acquisition for widening of NH-23 and NH-32 stretches will be taken up on a war-footing. Besides, speedy completion of Bokaro-Chas bridge and Bokaro-Chandrapura approach road will be my priority," he said.
Moreover, Ray said efforts would be made to accelerate activities of Bokaro Industrial Area Development Authority (Biada).
Outgoing DC Kumar said he tried his best to complete as many projects as possible in his 8-month tenure. "Two projects, which I really wanted to complete but could not, are Jhumra Action Plan and Bokaro-Chandrapura approach road. I am sure the new DC will ensure their speedy completion," he said.
